Rolex Sub 1680 crown tube

[smarley]

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and recently purchased a 14060M after not wearing Rolex watches for several years (I guess you never really lose the bug, do you).

I have long since been interested in a 1680 as well, but was always fearful that parts would become an issue.

From what I can see, the only real issue would be the crown tube/assy, as this would be hard for the aftermarket to make.

Does this sound like a reasonable concern or are there adequate supplies of the crown tubes as well?

Thanks for any insights,

Steffan

[crowncollection]

you can get them

[linesiders]

Early 1680 models would have 700 Crowns / 7000 Tubes with twinlock seals, midrange models would have the 702 crown / 7020 Tube Triplocks, late ones could come with the 703 / 7030 Triplock. All are perfectly acceptable (expected actually) to be replaced with the 703/7030 Triplock as part of a factory service.

The only reason to search for (and pay the premium) for 7000/7000 // 702/7020 sets would be to maintain originality as they left the factory. For improved water sealing the replacement 703/7030 is the way to go.

[g-boac]

Originally Posted by linesiders

Early 1680 models would have 700 Crowns / 7000 Tubes with twinlock seals, midrange models would have the 702 crown / 7020 Tube Triplocks, late ones could come with the 703 / 7030 Triplock. All are perfectly acceptable (expected actually) to be replaced with the 703/7030 Triplock as part of a factory service.

The only reason to search for (and pay the premium) for 7000/7000 // 702/7020 sets would be to maintain originality as they left the factory. For improved water sealing the replacement 703/7030 is the way to go.

Linesiders - can you tell me what the difference is between the 702 / 7020 and 703 / 7030 Triplocks?

thanks!
Mark

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by g-boac

Linesiders - can you tell me what the difference is between the 702 / 7020 and 703 / 7030 Triplocks?

thanks!
Mark

The 703 tube has an Oring on the outside of the tube providing better sealing than the 703. Part of why it is a better part for restorinbg if you will go swimming with the watch. There are slight visual differences in the crown, the Rolex crown is often longer across the surface on the 702 and the 703 crown is thicker than the 702 (which is a whisker thicker than a 700)

[JohnBaker3]

Smarley:

For what it's worth, here is my thread on the same topic....

Good luck.



http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=346646

[harrjaso]

The AD near me has a full repair shop with a Rolex certified repairman. I was asking him about a 1665 I purchased which had its "great white" dial replaced with a double red service dial. He said that Rolex stocks parts for watches 30 years after the production run ends (past that it's hit or miss) and that I would be able to get the correct dial. He said with the dials Rolex now makes you swap them, you can't keep the old dial. I had a really nasty scratch in my GMT pepsi bezel insert and they replaced it this week, letting me keep the original. Cost for the new insert plus install was $80. Technically, they aren't supposed to stock replacement items but he said over the years they have accumulated a pretty good collection of replacement parts. You might try shopping around to the older Rolex ADs with service centers. You never know what they may have laying around. This AD was willing to sell me the black insert they had in stock but I passed because I knew I'd never swap it out.

[JohnBaker3]

If you check out the VRF "for sale" section, somebody listed (6) NOS 24-700(0) crowns and tubes today.

500 Euros per set if you really want one badly enough.